AREDN: Mesh Networks Using Wi-Fi Hardware for Amateur Radio

Imagine turning a second-hand Wi-Fi router costing EUR 30 into an amateur radio network node that automatically connects with other nodes, forms a self-healing IP network and runs services such as VoIP telephony, video surveillance or email gateways — no internet, no mobile network, no commercial infrastructure. That is exactly what AREDN, the Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network, delivers. What started as an American emergency communications project has grown into a worldwide movement that is highly relevant for radio amateurs in Austria and across Europe.

What is AREDN?

AREDN stands for Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network and is an open-source project that transforms off-the-shelf Wi-Fi routers into powerful mesh network nodes. The modified firmware — based on OpenWrt — reconfigures the hardware to operate on amateur radio frequencies with enhanced parameters: higher transmit power, wider channels and frequency ranges that are unavailable to commercial Wi-Fi.

The result is a self-forming, self-healing IP mesh network. Nodes discover each other automatically, establish links and route data via the best available path. If a node fails, the network reorganises and finds alternative routes. This architecture makes AREDN exceptionally robust — precisely the quality needed for emergency communications.

In North America, thousands of AREDN nodes are already active. Entire cities and regions have blanket mesh coverage that serves as a communications backbone during wildfires, hurricanes and earthquakes when commercial infrastructure fails.

How an AREDN Mesh Works

The fundamental principle of AREDN is elegantly simple: every node in the network is simultaneously an endpoint and a router. There is no central controller, no master server, no single point of failure. The nodes communicate using the OLSR protocol (Optimized Link State Routing), which was specifically designed for mobile ad-hoc networks.

When a new node is powered on, it automatically scans for neighbouring AREDN nodes on the same frequency. As soon as a radio link is established, the nodes exchange routing information: which IP addresses are reachable via which paths? How good is the link quality? Within seconds, every node in the network knows how to reach every other node — and automatically selects the optimal route.

The self-healing aspect is the key advantage. If a node fails or a radio path is blocked by an obstacle, the network detects the change and recalculates routes. This property is invaluable for emergency communications, because a communication network must keep functioning even when parts of it are damaged.

Technically, AREDN operates at layers 2 and 3 of the OSI model: it provides a full IP network on which any standard network service can run. Each node receives an IP address from the AMPRNet range (44.0.0.0/8) or a local address space and can be reached via DNS using its node name.

Hardware and Frequencies

One of the greatest advantages of AREDN is the use of inexpensive consumer hardware. The firmware supports devices from three main manufacturers:

• Ubiquiti: NanoStation, NanoBeam, Rocket, PowerBeam, LiteBeam — the most commonly used devices in AREDN networks. Available second-hand from EUR 20–50
• MikroTik: hAP ac lite, SXTsq, mANTBox, LHG — a popular alternative with good performance and low price
• TP-Link: CPE210, CPE510, CPE710 — the most affordable option, ideal for getting started

AREDN uses amateur radio frequencies across several bands, with available frequencies depending on national regulations:

• 900 MHz (33 cm): Good penetration through vegetation and buildings, lower data rate. Ideal for non-line-of-sight (NLOS) connections
• 2.4 GHz (13 cm): A good compromise between range and data rate. Note: overlap with commercial Wi-Fi can cause interference
• 3.4 GHz (9 cm): Available for amateur radio in some countries, less interference potential than 2.4 GHz
• 5.8 GHz (6 cm): Highest data rates (up to 150 Mbit/s) but line-of-sight required. The most widely used band for AREDN backbone links

The crucial difference from commercial Wi-Fi: on amateur radio frequencies, operators are permitted to use higher transmit power and wider channels (up to 20 MHz). Where a commercial Wi-Fi router is limited to 100 mW, an AREDN node on the 5.8 GHz band can transmit at 1 watt or more — depending on national regulations. This enables significantly greater range with the same hardware.

Setting Up Your First AREDN Node

Getting started with AREDN is surprisingly straightforward. The basic steps:

1. Acquire hardware: For beginners, a second-hand Ubiquiti NanoStation M5 or a TP-Link CPE510 is recommended — both are available on second-hand platforms from EUR 20. Buying new costs around EUR 40–80. For indoor testing, a MikroTik hAP ac lite at roughly EUR 35 is a good option.

2. Download firmware: Visit arednmesh.org and download the appropriate firmware for your specific device model. A "Factory" version is available for first-time installation and a "Sysupgrade" version for later updates.

3. Flash the firmware: For most devices, flashing is done through the router's standard web interface. Upload the AREDN firmware as a firmware update — the router reboots and becomes an AREDN node. Some devices require a TFTP flash, which is well documented.

4. Configure the node name: After reboot, log in to the AREDN web interface (default: http://localnode.local.mesh:8080) and set the node name. The convention is CALLSIGN-LOCATION — for example OE8ABC-ROOF or OE1XYZ-HILL. This name also serves as the DNS name within the mesh.

5. Select frequency and channel width: In the setup, choose the band, frequency and channel width. For beginners, 5.8 GHz with a 10 MHz channel width is a good starting point — sufficient bandwidth for most services, and the 5.8 GHz band is available for amateur radio in most countries.

6. Establish connection: Once two or more nodes are transmitting on the same frequency within range of each other, they automatically form a mesh. The web interface shows all visible neighbours, link quality and reachable nodes and services across the entire network.

An initial test works perfectly with just two nodes on a desk — transmit power can be reduced to a minimum to experiment at close range without disturbing other stations.

Services on an AREDN Network

An AREDN mesh provides a fully functional IP network. This means any service that runs over TCP/IP can operate within the mesh. The most common applications:

• VoIP telephony: A Raspberry Pi or small server can run an Asterisk or FreePBX telephone exchange. SIP phones — including budget models around EUR 20 — connect directly to the mesh, creating a telephone network without commercial infrastructure
• Video surveillance: IP cameras can be integrated into the mesh to monitor critical locations — such as water levels during floods or access roads during evacuations
• Winlink gateway: A Raspberry Pi running PAT (Winlink client) can serve as a gateway for sending and receiving emails — without an internet connection, routing through the mesh to the nearest HF gateway
• Chat server: MeshChat, the chat application built into AREDN, enables text-based communication across the entire mesh. Messages are stored persistently and visible to all participants
• File sharing: Simple web servers or NAS systems allow documents, maps, deployment plans and other files to be shared across the mesh
• Web servers: Information portals with weather data, situational awareness displays or instructions can be hosted on the mesh and accessed from any node

A particularly popular setup is the combination of MeshChat + VoIP + video surveillance — providing three communication channels (text, voice, video) over a single network in an emergency.

AREDN, HAMNET and Meshtastic Compared

AREDN is not the only way to build data networks in amateur radio. In Austria and Europe, HAMNET provides an established high-speed network, and MeshCom and Meshtastic offer LoRa-based mesh solutions. Where do the differences lie?

AREDN vs. HAMNET:

• HAMNET is a professional, hierarchical backbone network with fixed sites on mountain summits and significant planning effort. It delivers data rates up to 200 Mbit/s and connects all of Austria. Getting started requires line-of-sight to a HAMNET node and coordination with the regional HAMNET team
• AREDN is a decentralised, tactical mesh network for local to regional use. It can be set up in minutes, requires no central coordination and works without any existing infrastructure. Data rates range from 5 to 150 Mbit/s depending on the hardware
• Ideally, both complement each other: HAMNET as the stationary backbone and AREDN as a rapidly deployable tactical layer. An AREDN mesh can be built at a disaster site and connected to the wider network via a HAMNET node

AREDN vs. Meshtastic/MeshCom:

• Meshtastic/MeshCom uses LoRa technology on 433/868 MHz and is optimised for text messages and GPS positions. The data rate is minimal (under 1 kbit/s), but the devices are tiny, battery-powered and extremely energy-efficient. Ideal for portable use and simple status reports
• AREDN is a broadband IP network with data rates in the Mbit/s range. It supports VoIP, video and complex applications but requires more power and larger antennas. Ideal for stationary or semi-stationary deployments with high communication demands
• Combination: In practice, many groups use all three technologies: Meshtastic for individual operators in the field, AREDN for the command post and HAMNET for connection to the wider infrastructure. A Raspberry Pi can serve as a gateway between all three networks

AREDN in Emergency Communications

The original and still most important use case for AREDN is emergency communications. The scenarios in which AREDN proves its value:

Natural disasters: During floods, wildfires or earthquakes, entire communications infrastructure often fails. Mobile phone towers lose power or are damaged, fibre-optic cables are severed. AREDN nodes can run on batteries or solar panels and build a network within minutes that enables voice, text and video communication.

Large-scale events: At events such as marathons, cycling races or scouting gatherings, AREDN provides an independent communication network for organisers. VoIP phones at aid stations, video surveillance at critical points and a chat system for coordination — all without depending on the mobile network.

Blackout preparedness: In the context of blackout preparedness, AREDN can play a vital role. A pre-installed mesh network with backup-powered nodes at strategic locations — fire stations, municipal offices, hospitals — remains operational even during a widespread power outage.

In the United States, AREDN has proven itself in real disaster deployments. During the California wildfires of 2017 and 2018, AREDN networks maintained communications in evacuated areas. During Hurricanes Harvey and Maria, AREDN nodes were erected at temporary sites within hours, enabling telephony and data transfer when no other network was operational.

The Tunnel Feature: Connecting Distant Nodes

A particularly useful feature of AREDN is tunnelling. This allows nodes that cannot be reached by radio to be connected to the mesh via an existing internet connection. An AREDN node can be configured as a tunnel server and accept VPN connections from remote nodes.

What is this good for? Three typical scenarios:

• Testing: Operators who do not yet have a neighbouring node within radio range can still participate in the mesh via a tunnel and test services
• Island bridging: Two local mesh islands that are out of radio range can be connected via an internet tunnel to form a single network
• International networking: AREDN networks in different countries can be connected via tunnels to share experience and conduct joint exercises

Of course, this contradicts the core concept of an infrastructure-independent network — in an emergency, there is no internet available. The tunnel is therefore a peacetime tool: for testing, learning and networking. In an actual emergency, the radio links must be in place.

AREDN in Austria: An Honest Assessment

Here we have to be honest: there is practically no AREDN scene in Austria. No noteworthy AREDN nodes or a wide-area AREDN network exist in OE, and the ÖVSV operates no official AREDN infrastructure. The active AREDN community is based primarily in North America, with a few additional groups in Germany and Switzerland.

What the ÖVSV operates instead covers exactly these tasks:

• HAMNET — the established high-speed IP backbone in Austrian amateur radio, built up by ÖVSV members since 2005 and coordinated via hamnetdb.net. In OE, HAMNET plays the role that AREDN plays in the USA. Read more: HAMNET in Austria.
• MeshCom — the ÖVSV's mesh solution (meshcom.oevsv.at), but LoRa-based (related to Meshtastic), not AREDN. Designed for text messages and telemetry over long range with tiny power consumption.
• A.R.E.N.A (Amateur Radio Emergency Network Austria, arena.oevsv.at) — the ÖVSV's organised emergency communications network.

What does this mean for AREDN in OE? It remains a DIY and experimentation topic. Anyone in Austria who wants a broadband IP data network turns to HAMNET; anyone who wants LoRa mesh turns to MeshCom. AREDN can still be built locally — but here you are not plugging into an existing scene, you are starting your own island network.

Regulatory situation: The frequency ranges used in AREDN (2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz) are available for amateur radio in Austria as well. The 13 cm band (2.3–2.45 GHz) and the 6 cm band (5.65–5.85 GHz) are allocated to amateur radio under the Austrian frequency assignment table. The enhanced transmit power and channel widths that AREDN offers over commercial Wi-Fi are legally usable with a valid amateur radio licence.

Sensible use cases — if you build it yourself:

• Local emergency communications: An AREDN mesh within a municipality connects, for example, the fire brigade, municipal office and command centre — independent of commercial networks.
• Tactical complement to HAMNET: While HAMNET ensures wide-area connectivity, a self-built AREDN mesh can bridge the "last mile" to the individual incident site.
• Field exercises: A temporary AREDN mesh can be built in minutes — handy for emergency communications drills.
• Experimentation platform: AREDN is an excellent platform for hands-on learning about networking, routing and GHz propagation.

Getting started in Austria: The fastest way is to acquire two inexpensive Ubiquiti or TP-Link devices, flash the AREDN firmware and experiment on a desk. Using the tunnel feature (see above), you can additionally connect to international AREDN networks in order to learn and practise. For a "proper" Austrian data network, however, HAMNET remains the first port of call — the local HAMNET coordinators are also the points of contact for frequency questions.

Anyone who has already worked with ESP32 projects or a Raspberry Pi in the shack will find in AREDN an exciting experimentation platform — though honestly, (still) without an Austrian community around it.

Videos: AREDN in Practice

Three tutorials take you from the overview through your first node to the tunnel connection:

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Further Resources

• AREDN project page: arednmesh.org — firmware downloads, documentation, supported hardware
• AREDN documentation: docs.arednmesh.org — detailed guides for installation and configuration
• AREDN forum: arednmesh.org/forum — active community for questions and exchange of experience
• AREDN on GitHub: github.com/aredn/aredn — source code and development
• Ham Radio Mesh Networking: hamradiomeshnetworking.com — step-by-step guide to your first nodes

AREDN impressively demonstrates what is possible when open-source software, inexpensive consumer hardware and the innovative spirit of the amateur radio community come together. Whether as an emergency network, an experimentation platform or a complement to the existing HAMNET — mesh technology has enormous potential. And getting started has never been easier or more affordable than it is today.

73 – your oeradio.at editorial team

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Transparency Notice

This article was researched and written with the assistance of AI (Claude, Anthropic). The editorial team has reviewed and edited all content. Despite careful review, occasional inaccuracies may occur — we welcome corrections via email to [email protected].